Price Includes: Accommodation, internal flights, transfers between airports and hotels, listed hotels and hotel taxes, activites as discribed and admission charges where applicable, river and land transfers, listed, lodges with full board and other meals as indicated. local guides, local beverages.

PLEASE NOTE:Hotel upgrade at extra cost.Tour information and prices are subject to change without notice.Hotels and lodges subject to availability.

Guyana and Suriname Classic Tour

Visit South America and explore the highlights of Guyana and Suriname. See the natural wonders of Kaieteur Falls and the Rupununi wetlands. Discover the beauty of the wooden city of Paramaribo, a Unesco heritage site.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to SurinameArrive in Paramaribo. We will pick you up at the airport, and then transfer you to your selected hotel.

Formerly a statuesque townhouse, the Eco Resort Inn has been lovingly renovated while maintaining the authenticity of its exquisite colonial architecture. It has been transformed into the most charming lobby of one of Paramaribo’s most favoured hotels with numerous eco-friendly features.

Located within a 5-minute walk of the historic center of Paramaribo and the tantalizing city life and rooms offering either a breath taking view of the Suriname river or a beautiful view of our lovely garden, the hotel is simply ideal for guests who want to visit Suriname to relax and unwind,

Day 2: Anuala Nature ResortWe depart from Paramaribo heading south, passing impressive giant trees and villages, to start our day with a nature and culture experience. After 118 miles (190 kilometers) we arrive at Atjoni the mooring place of the dug out boats, where we start our exciting canoe trip. This trip by motorized canoe will take about 55 minutes to reach our destination, the comfortable Anaula Nature Resort, which is situated at the foot of the Ferulassi rapids.

During this trip you can enjoy the breathtaking nature, the turbulent Jaw-Jaw rapid, and we will pass several Maroon villages. When we reach Anaula Resort you will be carried away by its peace. This will be your home away from home during your stay. After a light lunch in buffet style in our beautiful restaurant, you can check in. After this you have the opportunity to discover the island. In the afternoon we will go by boat to the Ferulassi rapids, where you can relax, swim or enjoy a natural whirlpool.

After dinner our guide will explain a little about the Saramaccan culture. After this we will go for an exciting adventure, spotting caimans. During this night trip by boat, you can enjoy the breathtaking starry sky and the total silence of the Amazon Rainforest.

Overnight at Anaula Nature Resort

Day 3: Anuala Nature ResortAfter breakfast we'll head to New Aurora by motorized dugout boats for a village walk. During the tour of the village you will discover the local population and their unique way of life and their traditional customs. We will visit the mission with a church, a school and a medical post.

Around 16.30 p.m. we go for a bush walk around the island where the resort is located.During this walk we will get information about the local medicinal use of plants. During the civil war in 1986 the Jungle Commandos with their leader, Ronnie Brunswijk, visited the island for their "immortality rituals". The remains of these rituals remind us of the island’s unique piece of history.

After a delicious dinner enjoy a cultural dance performance. Traditional dances like the Seketi, Awasa and Bandamba will be presented. Our guide will explain the content and meaning of these dances. Note: the cultural dance event is being offered at a minimum of 8 (eight) guests.

Overnight at Anaula Nature Resort

Day 4: Departure Anuala Nature resortThis morning is free for your own activities. You can swim, take a walk through the forest, relax by the pool or in a hammock, or just relax and enjoy the breathtaking nature.You can also choose to participate in excursions such as visits to the plots of the local residents. After lunch we return to Atjoni, from where we depart by bus to Paramaribo.

Day 5: Depart Suriname and fly to GuyanaTransfer to the airport for flight to Ogle International Airport in Guyana and transfer to your hotel. Georgetown, the chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana, is situated on the right bank of the Demerara River Estuary. It was chosen as a site for a fort to guard the early Dutch settlements of the Demerara River. The city of Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree lined avenues and irrigation canals that crisscross the city.

Most of the buildings in the city are wooden with unique architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. For the most part the buildings have Demerara shutters and designed fretwork, which trim eaves and windows. Main Street, Georgetown, provides several excellent examples of old colonial homes, a prime example of which is the State House, built in 1852. The State House is set in large gardens and is painted green and white and has hosted many visiting dignitaries.

During your visit to Georgetown there are a number of interesting sights that should not be missed, the most famous being St. George’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the world’s tallest free standing wooden buildings and was consecrated on 1892. The foundation stone was laid on November 23, 1890, and the building was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield. The story of the cathedral is told in the interior on tablets and memorials of an historical and sentimental nature: it is the tale of the history of Guyana in general and of the Diocese in particular.

At the beginning of the Avenue of the Republic stands the Public Library housed in theCarnegie Building. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Town Hall, asplendid example of Gothic architecture, and further along are the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrew's Kirk. St. Andrew’s is the oldest surviving structure of any church in Guyana.

The famous Stabroek Market, once described as a “bizarre bazaar”, contains everyconceivable item from household goods and gold jewellery to fresh meat and vegetables brought to town on the river daily. The clock tower can be seen for miles around and is a famous landmark.

No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo.The Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean and are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and a bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife can be observed at the Zoo, including a wide variety of tropical fishes and birds.

The National Museum which contains a broad selection of our animal life and heritage should not be missed, nor the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which explains Amerindian history and life style.

The tour will include walking along the Avenues with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumour and facts on Georgetown and its citizens. The group will be accompanied at all times by a vehicle, which will be used for travel between areas of interest. Along the way visitors will sample local exotic fruits, snacks and refreshments. During the tour there is always the opportunity to purchase that unusual gift or unique Guyanese handicraft, or for the daring the chance to delve into the gold and diamond market.

Upon conclusion of the tour transfer to the El Dorado Inn, a spacious, comfortable hotel located in the heart of the city. Rooms are tastefully furnished with a modern flair and feature a balcony. Guests will enjoy complimentary wireless Internet access, a courtyard for leisure and bar. (Meals: breakfast)

Day 6-7: IwokramaYou will leave early from Lethem for a 6 hour adventurous drive through an historic mining town and the rainforest to Iwokrama where you can get settled into your room.

Afterwards, you will depart for Turtle Mountain. A trip to Iwokrama is not complete without a hike to the summit of Turtle Mountain for a stunning view of the jungle vista. After breakfast, the journey starts with a peaceful and scenic half hour boat ride where you arrive at the base of the mountain. The trek to the 950 foot (290 meter) Turtle Mountain summit is mildly challenging and takes about 1 ½ – 2 hours, but the breathtaking views are more than worth the effort. Turtle Mountain provides a gorgeous view of the top of the rainforest canopy.

Along the way you may see a Harpy Eagle or the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, King Vulture, Gray-headed, Double-toothed, and Plumbeous Kites and Black-faced Hawk. The trails may reveal Little Chachalaca, Marail Guan, Black Currassow, Squirrel and Black-bellied Cuckoos, Blue-crowned Mot Mot, Collared Puffbird, Pygmy, Antwrens and many more! You may also be rewarded with sightings of monkeys such as red howlers, wedge-capped capuchins and black spiders. After your return, enjoy another refreshing local lunch and an ice cold beverage.

As you return to the River Lodge, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar; South America’s largest cat. Spend a relaxing evening enjoying dinner overlooking the scenic vistas of the Essequibo River.

After a relaxing dinner, join us for a cruise on the Essequibo River through the black of night, lit only by a pale moon. Your guide shines the spotlight and there it is… the red-eye glare of the black caiman! Frequently and closely seen lying on the river banks, the worlds’ largest of the alligator family grows to 20 feet (6 meters) long. A boat ride at night may also introduce you to other nocturnal creatures such as tree boas, pacas, nightjars, and hula tree frogs.

Day 8: Canopy Walkway tour and SuramaDepart at dawn to the Canopy walkway.The 505 foot (154 meter) state-of-the-art Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers a totally unique experience in the region and envelopes you in the jungle’s mid-level canopy through a series of suspension bridges and decks from heights of up to 98 feet (30 meters).

You’ll have the chance to see birds like the Green Aracari, Scarlet Macaw, Guiana Toucanette or Channel-bill Toucan. Red Howler Monkeys may also be observed. Check out the epiphytes such orchids and bromeliads, and look for the amazing parasitic Ficus plant as it engulfs another tree. There is also the Greenheart Tree, the Waramadan (endemic in Guyana only to the Iwokrama Forest) and the poisonous Aromata! Stop at teh harpy Eagle nesting site if it is still active, then by 4x4 to the Amerindian community of Surama. On arrival in Surama receive a welcome from a village counselor and settle into your accommodation. A local guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. As the afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. Visit the local school, medical center and church along with some of the village houses. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 9: Explore Burro Burro RiverRise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then the gentle climb up Surama Mountain in the cool morning air. This is the best time to observe bird life along the trail. Breakfast will be served at a lookout point which affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. Return to the village for lunch and then take a three mile walk across the savannah and through the rain forest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe giant river otters, tapir, tira, spider monkeys and many more species. Return to village for sunset and dinner. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 10: Travel to Georgetown/ transfer to Sloth Island Nature resortDepart after breakfast to Lethem for your flight to Georgetown. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the town of Parika, driving over the Harbour Bridge, the longest floating bridge in the world, which spans across the second largest river in Guyana—the Demerara River. Continue your journey by boat along the Essequibo River—Guyana’s largest River, being 20 miles wide at its widest point. Continue to Sloth Island and spend 1 night/2 days. Sloth Island has recently recorded 188 species of birds, including the Puff bird, manikins, Toucan, Parakeets as well as animals such as sloths and monkeys.(Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 12: Depart Guyana and fly to SurinameAfter Breakfast depart Sloth Island Nature Resort for transfer to the Ogle Airport for flight to Paramaribo, Suriname. Upon arrival in Suriname transfer to hotel. (Meals: breakfast)

Day 13: Depart Suriname/Paramaribo City tourParamaribo, the capital city of Suriname, has been placed on the UNESCO WorldHeritage list of historical monuments since 2002. Here, you will be to take a guided tour, by car and on foot, along the most prominent historic locations in downtown Paramaribo during which you will be impressed by the unique architecture. The guide will give you extensive information about the former Fort Zeelandia, the Presidential Palace, Independence Square and many other monuments. The monumental buildings are a true representation of the colonial history of Suriname. After a stroll passed the Waterkant, along the bank of the Suriname River and through the Palms Garden, you will also enjoy other interesting sites such as a mosque right next to a synagogue. We will pick you up at the hotel, and then transfer you to the airport.